There are always interesting dog/human teams to watch at any National Agility Championship. These competitions bring the best of the best. At this year’s Canadian National Championships, one team in particular stood out.
Tracey Mallinson and Abies are an amazing agility team, on every level. Together they are a powerhouse of unfiltered skill and joy. Tracey and Abies are so exciting to watch, that while documenting their runs at Nationals, I had numerous strangers ask for copies of the videos. …Here you go, fan boys and girls!
Tracey is a multitalented woman. She is an arborist (she knows her trees), an instructor of Highland dance (calves of steel), an agility judge (the best), and a skilled agility competitor (go Team Poodle!). Abies — full name CH Gallerys Abies Nigra MACH — has many agility awards to his name, including his Master Agility Champion title, and his lifetime achievement award. His name is a botanical pun, not surprisingly, given Tracey’s background. Abies nigra is the latin name for Black Fir. Tracey keeps Abies’ topknot long, and ‘braids’ it. As she says, he is “the Lenny Kravitz of Poodles.”
{ Above: My favorite agility photograph of all time. Bliss captured! }
{ The ladies in the background are priceless }
And finally, a video!
This dog is having so much fun! He has the best hair.
Tracey and Abies are always a fun team to watch! They are a shining example that dog and handler can both have fun and be sucessful! Congrats on a great showing at nationals!